Otero College

Celebrating women who are shaping the future of sports.

Professional Women's Rodeo Commissioner and our very own Linsay Rosser Sumpter is set to speak at the Power Players: Women Leading the Game panel on March 13 in Las Vegas during Mountain West Conference Championship Week.
We’re proud of her continued work driving the growth and recognition of women’s rodeo across the country.

Ready to make an impact at Otero College?
We’re currently hiring for multiple positions. Explore the opportunities and how to apply through the link below.

https://otero.edu/about/careers/

Today's the day! We can't wait to show off our incredible CTE programs tonight from 4pm-6pm!

Our CTE Open House is coming up, and we hope to see you there!

Experience the world of Career & Technical Education! Full details below!

March 2nd
4pm-6pm
Otero College

Discover Your Path

What does the next chapter look like for your student?
�Discovery Day gave a snapshot—now see the full picture.�
🎓 Explore our academics, student life, and plan a campus visit today on our website.
https://otero.edu

Read about Riatta and Taci Grokett, two recipients of agriculture scholarships here: https://otero.edu/true-grit-x-2/

To continue funding its scholarship program, the Otero College Agriculture program will host its annual fundraising campaign for student support with A Night at the Races Ag Gala on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in the Rizzuto Banquet Room, located on the Otero College campus. Doors for the Ag Gala will open at 6:30 pm, with a delicious array of finger foods and cheesecake desserts. The starting gates for A Night at the Races will be open at 8 pm and run until 10 pm.

For more information, or to sponsor the Ag Gala, contact Otero College Ag instructor Dr. Kari White at (719) 384-6964 or [email protected] or Almabeth Kaess, Otero College Foundation Director, (719) 384-6807or [email protected]

Don't forget, the Financial Aid Night is TONIGHT! This event is open to the community, all are welcome to learn more about Scholarships, FASFA, Grants, Loans & More!

The Otero College Agriculture program will host its annual fundraising campaign for student support with A Night at the Races Ag Gala on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in the Rizzuto Banquet Room, located on the Otero College campus.

In its 14th year, the event promises an exciting evening filled with many opportunities to support students who attend Otero College, pursuing degrees and careers in agriculture.

Doors for the Ag Gala will open at 6:30 pm, with a delicious array of finger foods and cheesecake desserts. The starting gates for A Night at the Races will be open at 8 pm and run until 10 pm.

The night will be packed with exciting horse races, betting, good food, music for dancing, a cash bar, door prizes, and auctions full of unique items. Ladies are encouraged to come in their finest derby hats, with special prizes for participants.

Dr. Kari White, Otero Ag Instructor shared the goal of the event, “Supporting our students through the Ag Gala is an investment in the future of agriculture. By coming together as a community, we can provide our young leaders with the resources they need to cultivate their skills, foster innovation, and advance sustainable practices in farming and ranching. Your contribution will make a lasting impact on their education and passion for agriculture.”

The 2026 Ag Gala offers five different levels of sponsorship.

· Platinum: For a donation of $1,000 the donor will receive tickets for a table of eight guests, 24 free door prize tickets, eight free beer boots for guests, one bottle of red wine, one bottle of champagne, and a plaque to display.

· Gold: For a donation of $500 the donor will receive tickets for a table of eight guests, 16 door prize tickets, one bottle of champagne, and a certificate of sponsorship.

· Silver: For a donation of $350, the donor will receive tickets for a table of eight guests and one bottle of champagne.

· Turquoise: For a donation of $150, the donor will receive tickets for four guests.

· Specialty Sponsorships: For a donation in the specific amount, the donor will receive recognition of that evening’s event. This is ideal for donors who want to donate but cannot attend. Examples of a specific sponsorship may include Gourmet Chocolates $500, Beer Boot supplies $800, or music $300. Tickets can also be purchased individually for $35 each, or $60 per couple. Click here to purchased tickets or become a sponsor for this year’s event: AG GALA TICKETS

For those unable to attend, but who would like to make a direct donation to the program, click here to donate online: SUPPORT OTERO

Plan to attend this fun evening and support of the Otero Agriculture’s scholarship program. Donor support helps to “Train the Next Generation to Feed the Nation.”

For more information, or to sponsor the Ag Gala, contact Otero College Ag instructor Dr. Kari White at (719) 384-6964 or [email protected] or Almabeth Kaess, Otero College Foundation Director, (719) 384-6807or [email protected]

Entrepreneurs and small business owners across Southeast Colorado will soon have a new opportunity to access practical business support, funding connections, and networking opportunities when Rural Startup Days debuts as the region’s first business startup week–style event. Rural Startup Days is coming to Otero College Student Center in La Junta, Wednesday – Friday, February 25-27, 2026, and will bring free, hands-on programming directly to Southeast Colorado.

The event will bring together entrepreneurs, funders, business experts, and community leaders to strengthen local businesses and support long-term regional economic resilience. “Rural Startup Days connects local entrepreneurs to statewide resources, funding partners, and peers who understand rural realities, helping them strengthen, sustain, and grow businesses that are critical to the region’s economic resilience,” said Vanessa McCrann, Managing Director at Startup Colorado and the event’s lead organizer.

Rural Startup Days is organized by Startup Colorado in partnership with Otero College and SEBREA, and is free and open to a broad audience, including entrepreneurs, small business owners, students, ranchers, farmers, aspiring founders with early-stage ideas, and community members interested in economic development. Participants can come-and-go as they like during the three days, but registration is suggested through the website.

The launch of Rural Startup Days comes at a pivotal moment for the region. "Southeast Colorado is at a critical turning point, with real gaps in local business economies and services,” said Julie Worley, the event’s co-organizer in La Junta. “This moment calls for renewed investment in locally owned businesses that are rooted in our rural SE Colorado communities and are committed to staying. ”Rural Startup Days is sponsored by Startup Colorado, Colorado SecureSavings and Department of the Treasury, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, SEBREA, and Connect for Health Colorado.

“Anyone starting, growing, or stabilizing a business in Southeast Colorado will find value here,” said McCrann. “Attendees can expect practical tools, clearer pathways to funding and year-round support, meaningful connections, and insights they can apply immediately.”

For registration and further details, visit www.RuralStartupDays.com or email [email protected].

You're invited to experience the world of Career & Technical Education at Otero College!

We hope to see you on Monday, March 2nd for our CTE Open House, beginning at 4:00pm

For more information, contact Alli Hall at [email protected] or by calling (719) 384-6958

Don't forget, auditions for "Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play" are THIS WEEK!!!

Anne Washburn’s imaginative dark comedy – a play with music featuring songs by Washburn and Michael Friedman – propels us forward nearly a century, following a new civilization stumbling into its future.

After the collapse of civilization, a group of survivors share a campfire and begin to piece together the plot of The Simpsons episode “Cape Feare” entirely from memory. Seven years later, this and other snippets of pop culture (sitcom plots, commercials, jingles and pop songs) have become the live entertainment of a post-apocalyptic society, sincerely trying to hold onto its past. Seventy-five years later, these are the myths and legends from which new forms of performance are created.

A paean to live theater, and the resilience of Bart Simpson through the ages, Mr. Burns is an animated
exploration of how the pop culture of one era might evolve into the mythology of another.

Auditions will be held February 4th & 5th at 6pm in the Ed Stafford Theatre. Please direct all questions to Heather Pidcock-Reed at [email protected] or (719) 384-6861